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The boy knows no boundaries.

Joshua has already received lots (and lots) of toys from family and friends. Here, on the right, is the latest from Granny in England. We had to walk down to the local post office to collect it. It was a cold(ish) day, with a few showers, so we made use of his rain coat (a present from his cousin Theo in England). Thank you very much, Granny Jill and Theo!

This week something sharp started protruding from Josh’s lower gums. When we went shopping today we picked up a ‘junior’ toothbrush for him!

One of the most trying times at this stage seems to be bed time. Invariably this is accompanied by crying, waling and screaming, as if the cot was a cage and the mattress a sea of snakes. After ringing around (and probably some pleading), we managed to get a day set for sleep school.

Off we all went one Friday morning, in search of peace and harmony. One of the first things we found out was that that middle-of-the-night feed was no longer required. Pheew! Secondly, during the day he should only be up for no more than about 2½ hours, not 4 or 5! In fact they advocated a feed, play, sleep cycle of just 4 hours (total) during the day.

That night we were blessed with a whole nights sleep (from Josh) – we on the other hand were so shocked that we were up, checking on him, more than usual. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come.

Railings are obviously for climbing. Cots have railed sides so that it is easier for you to use them as bouncy castles. The cot ends (no rails) are, of course, for advanced students. Joshua didn’t need much time to move into that category.

And there is just so much more that you can see and do when you can stand, particularly when you are propping yourself up against the coffee table

As per usual we took lots of photo’s over the holidays. We took a few of Josh when he was playing with one of his toys in the car. I was shocked at how much my baby had grown. In this photo’s he looks so much like a little boy.

Over the last two months, Josh had been doing so much rolling around on the ground that he had developed a ‘bald’ patch. As I thought he was far too young for a ‘comb-over’, it was time for our first haircut. Using dad’s clippers I tapped a section of his head and shaved that section… and so on. He just let me do it. Here are a few ‘after’ shots. Wouldn’t you know – just after I cut his hair he started to crawl.

Well! Now we all know who’s in control of this relationship.

It is now 2008 and here in Melbourne it was 41 degrees -the hottest on record since 1907. So, it was off to the pool. Josh had his first ‘swim’. Ever since then we try to take him to the pool every day. He is now upto about six laps 😉 He is so amazing. He just takes things (anything new) in his stride – no complains, no objections. The added benefit of Josh ‘swimming’ every day is that it makes him a wee bit tired.

It is not always hot and sunny down here. This week we have had lots of much need rain. The weather was so bad, we decided it was time for Josh’s first big road trip. As Granny Yvonne was here, we decided to take her on the ‘Great Ocean Road’ trip, a full-on 12 hour day (over 500km).

It did not rain the whole day. There was in fact some strong sunshine late afternoon. However, with a coastal wind warning, gale force winds were expected. We were not to be disappointed. It was blowing hard down at the 12 11 Apostles.

Theo’s little fleece jacket came in very handy!

I came to Melbourne to see my daughter and her family.

Actually, it was to introduce Joshua to his first solid meal. What a joyous experience it was! Quite messy too. The spoon just could not get into the hatch quick enough. He was absolutely ravenous and quite, quite exhausted simultaneously. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his tummy. Love you heaps Josh!!